Museum Studies Minor

Acting Program Director: Prof. Katherine Gaydos
Center for the Arts 3103GG
Phone: 410-704-2673
Email: kgaydos@towson.edu

This interdisciplinary minor in Museum Studies provides students with a comprehensive education in the field of museology by looking at the history, philosophy, role, operation and multiple functions of museums in American society. Academic theory in the political, social, business, legal and ethical issues that confront museum professionals is combined with practical experience in the form of museum internships, field trips and directed research projects to give students a foundation for work in university, public and private museums. This minor is designed to complement majors in the fields of studio art, art history, art education, history, anthropology, business, interdisciplinary studies, environmental science and studies, among others.

The minor in Museum Studies consists of 21 units of required and elective courses. Students are required to meet with the director of Museum Studies to develop a Program of Study listing all required and elective courses in the program; the director’s signature of approval is required for the Program of Study.

Required Courses
ARTH 300INTRODUCTION TO MUSEUM STUDIES3
ARTH 302MUSEUM AND COMMUNITY3
Electives
Select four of the following (with the exception of Art History, no more than two courses may be taken in a single discipline):12
TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY
ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHODS AND THEORY
VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGY
EXHIBIT DESIGN
CARE AND HANDLING OF OBJECTS
MUSEUM EDUCATION
EXHIBITION DESIGN HISTORY AND THEORY
MUSEUM MANAGEMENT
COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT
CURATORIAL VISION AND PLANNING
MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
DEVELOPMENT AND GRANTWRITING FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
HISTORY WARS: PUBLIC HISTORY THEORY AND PRACTICE
ADVERTISING MEDIA PLANNING
PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
WRITING FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Only one of the following three may be selected:
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ART HISTORY
Capstone
Select one of the following:3
INTERNSHIP IN AMERICAN STUDIES
INTERNSHIP IN ANTHROPOLOGY I
INTERNSHIP IN ANTHROPOLOGY II
INTERNSHIP IN ART HISTORY
INTERNSHIP
Total Units21